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Pest Library
Please try and find the pest(s) invading your home or business. Hover your mouse over each pest to see more information. Whether you can identify it, or not, give us a call! We’ll take care of the unwanted guest(s) for you. Call now!
American Cockroach
1 3/8" - 2 1/8"
Reddish-brown in color, and mostly found in restaurants, bakeries, and larger commercial buildings involved in food processing, the American cockroach is a true food pest. They can also be found in residences, where they usually infest the food storage and preparation areas. As a roach, they reproduce at a rapid rate, lay 100’s of eggs at a time, and must be treated promptly.
House Cricket
3/4" - 7/8"
Typically gray or brownish in color, house crickets are nocturnal and usually hide in dark, warm places during the day. The familiar chirping sound is created by the male rubbing his front wings together. This is his mating call. Crickets seek moisture and tend to damage clothing by eating out large areas of the fabrics. They can survive cold winters in buildings and homes, making treatment critical in controlling an infestation.
German Cockroaches
1/2" - 5/8"
Light brown to tan except for two dark stripes on its upper back, the German cockroach is the most common of the cockroaches. It has been implicated in outbreaks of illnesses, and has caused allergic reactions in many people. Roaches reproduce at a rapid rate, lay 100’s of eggs at a time, and must be treated promptly.
Oriental Cockroach
1" - 1 1/4"
Shiny black, but may vary to a dark, reddish-brown, the oriental cockroach commonly enters buildings via door thresholds, utility pipes, and floor drains. Often found in crawl spaces, basements, and on 1st floors, they are despised for their strong, roachy odor. Roaches reproduce at a rapid rate, lay 100’s of eggs at a time, and must be treated promptly.
Ground Beetle
1/16" - 1 3/8"
Color is almost uniformly black and shiny, often found under stone, bark, or logs, ground beetles are known to climb trees in search of food. They are a nuisance pest, and are found displaced in and around homes. They also give off a repugnant odor when handled or crushed.
Earwig
1/4" - 1"
Pale brown with dark markings to uniformly reddish-brown to black, the Earwig obtains its name from an old European superstition that these insects enter the ears of sleeping people and then bore into the brain. Like stink bugs, they have an unpleasant odor that is released when they are crushed.
Black Carpet Beetle
1/8" - 1/4"
Dark brown to black, Carpet beetles are known to attack carpeting, drapery, clothes, furs, fabric-covered furniture, and stored products. In the home pantry, they even seek food products including flour and cereals. Due to the longevity of their larvae, and long enduring nature, prompt treatment is very important.
Box Elder Bug
1/2"
Black with reddish lines on the dorsum, the box elder bug is a major pest of box elder trees. In the home, they are a nuisance pest because they enter structures to live through the winter, and harsh summer weather. Their damage can be extensive, resulting in red staining on curtains, clothing, and drapes. They can also bite, producing a red welt.
Deer Ticks
1/16" - 1/8"
Color is orangish-brown except for the legs, which are typically dark. As their name suggests, the adults attach themselves to a passing deer. In the Northeast and Midwest, they carry the spirochete for Lyme disease in humans.
House Spider
3/16" - 5/16"
Mostly known for making dirty white to brown colored webs, the house spider is most encountered inside the house. These spiders randomly select their web sites while looking for prey and, as a result, the webs can be found almost anywhere.
Brown Dog Ticks
1/8"
Brown in color, and more than doubling in size when engorged with blood, usually from dogs, these ticks increase in size up to 1/2". These pests are almost always associated with dogs, but have been termed as vectors for Rocky Mountain spotted fever and several other diseases. Brown dog ticks have a unique ability to adjust to various temperatures making them able to complete their life cycle indoors.
Reproductive Termite
3/8"
Lighter brown to black, this is the "swarmer" of the eastern subterranean termite colony. It is distinguished by its four wings, all of the same length. This helps distinguish it from a flying ant, whose underwings are shorter than those on top. Reproductive termites, “swarmers” search for new sites, mate, and begin new colonies. They are essentially seeking to be future kings and queens.
Worker Termite
1/8"
Uniformly white or cream, the Worker termite is the most damaging caste of the termite colony. Due to a microbe in their intestines that allows them to ingest cellulose (wood) as a nutrient, wood serves as an abundant food source for them, and termites must be treated promptly! Common signs of these termites include: Three dimensional tubes, dark areas or blistering in wood flooring, and hollowed out galleries.
Clothes Moth
3/8" - 1/3"
Buff to gold, with a brownish tinge in color, this fungus moth is a real pest! As the name suggests, the larvae of the clothes moth BOTH infest and feed mostly on woolen clothing and furs. As a result, holes, voids, and tubes contain fibers with feces on them. This pest also has been found infesting milk products. The adults do not feed.
Silverfish
1/2" - 3/4"
Silvery satin to gun-metal gray, silverfish are often confused with firebrats which do not have the silvery sheen. Mostly active at night, found in tight cracks and crevices, silverfish are paper pests, but will also feed on any meaty protein.
Odorous House Ant
1/16" - 1/8"
Color can be brown to black. When crushed they give off a smell similar to a rotten coconut. In constant search of moisture and food, odorous house ants are found near pipes, sinks, and hot water heaters. They love high protein food such as meat and cheese.
Carpenter Ant
1/8" - 1/2"
Usually black but occasionally appearing reddish-brown, the carpenter ant, unlike the termite, cannot digest wood. However, it will chew out galleries and hollow places to create nests, resulting in structural damage. They are sometimes evidenced by the appearance of a sawdust-like material with debris in it, including body parts, known as “frass.”
House Mouse
2 1/2" - 3 1/2"
Color can vary considerably from place to place. Having a strong ability to jump, climb, and swim enables a high number of them to invade a structure very quickly. They often nest in various materials such as insulation, and usually use the same pathways along a wall. Mice prefer seeds or cereals for food. They have been known to spread salmonella disease.
Flea
1/8"
Wingless insects, brownish-black to black, but reddish-black when full of blood, fleas are known to be vectors of disease organisms causing both plague and muring typhus. They can also serve as the intermediary host for tapeworm. Fleas can jump as high as 7-8 inches. Fleas are typically found where animals sleep or frequent.
Norway Rat
7" - 9 1/2"
Commonly brown or gray in color, and also known as the “brown rat,” the Norway rat is the largest of the common rodents in the temperate regions of the world. In addition to damage by gnawing, it eats and contaminates stored food, and is a carrier of many diseases.
Bed Bug
1/4"
Color is brownish. They get their name because they both live and feed in beds. As an ectoparasitic insect (a parasite which lives on the outside of the body of the host) of the family Cimicidae, bed bugs feed only on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. Distinguishable by their brown color, the common bed bug (Cimex Lectularius Linnaeus 1758) can lay 12 eggs per day!
Stink Bugs
3/4"
Brown, Gray or Dark Green in color, Stink bugs known for their “smelly” reputation, acquired its name from its ability to release an odor when disturbed or crushed. Stink bugs are herbivorous and like to feed on plant juices using their piercing and sucking mouthparts. Unlike many other household pests that have natural predators, stink bugs have NO known enemies in the United States. They are known to enter homes through attics, and invade a home from the top-down.
Racoon
2’-3’
Racoons are nocturnal mammals that can live up to 12 years in the wild. Although they are usually found in wooded portions of the Eastern United States, they are well known to invade residential areas. Signs of Racoon infestation include trash damage, fecal matter, and holes in and around attic or chimney space. Raccoons can be a carrier of rabies, and pose a threat when they enter homes.
Mosquitoes
1/8"-3/4"
Ranging from light brown to black in color (depending on the species), this insect is known for its ability to bite mammals resulting in itchy pink bumps on the body. Since mosquitoes pass from host to host, many harmful infections may be transmitted through them including Malaria, West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, and the Zika Virus. This is why they are considered the deadliest animal family in the world, making a mosquito treatment program essential for your backyard.
Squirrel
5”-20”
Varying in color from combinations of gray, brown, and black, squirrels consist of over 200 rodent species worldwide. They are capable of moving up to 20 mph and jumping from elevations as high as 20 ft. These rodents become an issue when they seek shelter in homes, where they gnaw on walls, electrical wires, and breed. Professional trapping and removal is highly recommended, and effective.
Bat
3/16” to 7 ½”
Most common bats in this area include: the little brown bat, the big brown bat, and the Mexican free-tailed bat, which all feed on various insects. Taking shelter in the dark, these nocturnal mammals usually live in colonies, and secluded areas such as caves and tree cavities. Bats can also be found inside buildings and houses, usually in the attic. They pose serious health risks such as lung disease, due to fungi found in their droppings, as well as the potential to transmit rabies.
Possum
2’
Fur can vary, usually white to brown to black, possums are nocturnal mammals that favor secure, dark places, both below and above ground. They can reside in attics, under houses, porches, sheds, etc. They are usually found near homes to scavenge on garbage and other containers. Their large droppings can host various diseases and parasites that are dangerous to humans. Possums are also known to “play dead” under duress, so removal by a professional is highly recommended.
CENTIPEDE
1/8”-5 ½”
Varying in color, centipedes are known for having 100 legs. However, the number of legs can vary, often from 30 to well over 150. Predatory in nature, centipedes seek other pests within the household; therefore, treatment of centipedes are essential to also address the other pests within the household. Elimination of centipedes will result in a reduction of other general pests around the home.
European Hornets
1”-1 ½”
Brown with yellow stripes on the abdomen, the European hornet commonly makes their nests in holes in trees, attics, or wall voids in homes. They feed on crickets, grasshoppers, large flies, caterpillars, and the workers of other yellow jacket species. European hornets are known to sting if provoked, and should certainly be avoided. They are commonly confused with cicada killers.
Cicada Killers
1”-2”
Black, with yellow markings on three segments, cicada killers are digger wasps. They are large solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, and live underground. They commonly live within close proximity to one another, and feed on flower nectar. Treatment of Cicada Killers is essential because their many holes and plant damage can be devastating to a yard. Females are often seen carrying a paralyzed cicada, which they take back to their burrow. The female cicada killer then lays an egg on the paralyzed cicada, which hatches and uses the cicada as a nourishment source.
Carpenter Bees
1/4”-1”
Dark and somewhat metallic in appearance, with yellowish hairs, known for chewing a 3/8 inch tunnel into a piece of wood to build a nest gallery, the female carpenter bee takes advantage of outside wood to lay their eggs and protect their developing larvae. Although solitary in nature, carpenter bees typically nest very close to each other, and if left untreated, can cause a major problem. Carpenter bees can reuse existing holes, making a maintenance type of pest treatment imperative!
Moles / Voles
5”-7” – 5”-7 ½”
Appearing Dark brown, brown-gray, tan, or even black, moles and voles are known for leaving many shallow tunnels and runways all around a home’s yard. Both pests are very problematic. While moles damage your garden while looking for insects, voles will actually eat your crops, plants, and flowers. If left untreated, results can be devastating to a yard.
Camel Crickets
½”-2”
Brownish in color, and sometimes appearing translucent, camel crickets, often called “cave crickets” or “sprickets,” are wingless, and rather humpbacked in appearance. In a home, they are known to eat clothes, curtains, rugs, wood, wallpaper, and wool. This makes prompt treatment essential.
Bald-Faced Hornets
½”-3/4”
Distinguishable by their white and black coloring and “bald-faced” head, Bald-faced hornets construct brown multi-layered basketball sized nests by collecting and chewing naturally occurring fibers. Like yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets retain use of their stinger, and can sting their victim multiple times. Especially for those with a stinging allergy, treatment and removal of the nest is essential!
Yellow Jackets
2/5”-3/5”
Getting their name from their yellow and black bodies, yellow jackets are very aggressive. They retain their stinger after use, and may sting their victim multiple times. Yellow jackets commonly nest in structure voids, behind siding, and even underground. Their diet primarily consists of items high in sugar and carbohydrates such as: fruits, flower nectar, and tree sap.
Paper Wasp
¾”-1”
Mostly dark brown in color, with black wings, and yellow markings, the paper wasp is known for constructing baseball sized nests in partially sheltered areas of your home or business. They are a real nuisance, and it is not uncommon to have a few paper wasp nests around the exterior of your home. Paper wasps prefer to feed on nectar and pollen, and even prey on caterpillars they use to feed their colonies’ larvae.
American Cockroach
1 3/8" - 2 1/8"
Reddish-brown in color, and mostly found in restaurants, bakeries, and larger commercial buildings involved in food processing, the American cockroach is a true food pest. They can also be found in residences, where they usually infest the food storage and preparation areas. As a roach, they reproduce at a rapid rate, lay 100’s of eggs at a time, and must be treated promptly.
German Cockroaches
1/2" - 5/8"
Light brown to tan except for two dark stripes on its upper back, the German cockroach is the most common of the cockroaches. It has been implicated in outbreaks of illnesses, and has caused allergic reactions in many people. Roaches reproduce at a rapid rate, lay 100’s of eggs at a time, and must be treated promptly.
Oriental Cockroach
1" - 1 1/4"
Shiny black, but may vary to a dark, reddish-brown, the oriental cockroach commonly enters buildings via door thresholds, utility pipes, and floor drains. Often found in crawl spaces, basements, and on 1st floors, they are despised for their strong, roachy odor. Roaches reproduce at a rapid rate, lay 100’s of eggs at a time, and must be treated promptly.
House Cricket
3/4" - 7/8"
Typically gray or brownish in color, house crickets are nocturnal and usually hide in dark, warm places during the day. The familiar chirping sound is created by the male rubbing his front wings together. This is his mating call. Crickets seek moisture and tend to damage clothing by eating out large areas of the fabrics. They can survive cold winters in buildings and homes, making treatment critical in controlling an infestation.
Ground Beetle
1/16" - 1 3/8"
Color is almost uniformly black and shiny, often found under stone, bark, or logs, ground beetles are known to climb trees in search of food. They are a nuisance pest, and are found displaced in and around homes. They also give off a repugnant odor when handled or crushed.
Black Carpet Beetle
1/8" - 1/4"
Dark brown to black, Carpet beetles are known to attack carpeting, drapery, clothes, furs, fabric-covered furniture, and stored products. In the home pantry, they even seek food products including flour and cereals. Due to the longevity of their larvae, and long enduring nature, prompt treatment is very important.
Earwig
1/4" - 1"
Pale brown with dark markings to uniformly reddish-brown to black, the Earwig obtains its name from an old European superstition that these insects enter the ears of sleeping people and then bore into the brain. Like stink bugs, they have an unpleasant odor that is released when they are crushed.
Box Elder Bug
1/2"
Black with reddish lines on the dorsum, the box elder bug is a major pest of box elder trees. In the home, they are a nuisance pest because they enter structures to live through the winter, and harsh summer weather. Their damage can be extensive, resulting in red staining on curtains, clothing, and drapes. They can also bite, producing a red welt.
Deer Ticks
1/16" - 1/8"
Color is orangish-brown except for the legs, which are typically dark. As their name suggests, the adults attach themselves to a passing deer. In the Northeast and Midwest, they carry the spirochete for Lyme disease in humans.
Brown Dog Ticks
1/8"
Brown in color, and more than doubling in size when engorged with blood, usually from dogs, these ticks increase in size up to 1/2". These pests are almost always associated with dogs, but have been termed as vectors for Rocky Mountain spotted fever and several other diseases. Brown dog ticks have a unique ability to adjust to various temperatures making them able to complete their life cycle indoors.
House Spider
3/16" - 5/16"
Mostly known for making dirty white to brown colored webs, the house spider is most encountered inside the house. These spiders randomly select their web sites while looking for prey and, as a result, the webs can be found almost anywhere.
Reproductive Termite
3/8"
Lighter brown to black, this is the "swarmer" of the eastern subterranean termite colony. It is distinguished by its four wings, all of the same length. This helps distinguish it from a flying ant, whose underwings are shorter than those on top. Reproductive termites, “swarmers” search for new sites, mate, and begin new colonies. They are essentially seeking to be future kings and queens.
Worker Termite
1/8"
Uniformly white or cream, the Worker termite is the most damaging caste of the termite colony. Due to a microbe in their intestines that allows them to ingest cellulose (wood) as a nutrient, wood serves as an abundant food source for them, and termites must be treated promptly! Common signs of these termites include: Three dimensional tubes, dark areas or blistering in wood flooring, and hollowed out galleries.
Silverfish
1/2" - 3/4"
Silvery satin to gun-metal gray, silverfish are often confused with firebrats which do not have the silvery sheen. Mostly active at night, found in tight cracks and crevices, silverfish are paper pests, but will also feed on any meaty protein.
Clothes Moth
3/8" - 1/3"
Buff to gold, with a brownish tinge in color, this fungus moth is a real pest! As the name suggests, the larvae of the clothes moth BOTH infest and feed mostly on woolen clothing and furs. As a result, holes, voids, and tubes contain fibers with feces on them. This pest also has been found infesting milk products. The adults do not feed.
Odorous House Ant
1/16" - 1/8"
Color can be brown to black. When crushed they give off a smell similar to a rotten coconut. In constant search of moisture and food, odorous house ants are found near pipes, sinks, and hot water heaters. They love high protein food such as meat and cheese.
Carpenter Ant
1/8" - 1/2"
Usually black but occasionally appearing reddish-brown, the carpenter ant, unlike the termite, cannot digest wood. However, it will chew out galleries and hollow places to create nests, resulting in structural damage. They are sometimes evidenced by the appearance of a sawdust-like material with debris in it, including body parts, known as “frass.”
Flea
1/8"
Wingless insects, brownish-black to black, but reddish-black when full of blood, fleas are known to be vectors of disease organisms causing both plague and muring typhus. They can also serve as the intermediary host for tapeworm. Fleas can jump as high as 7-8 inches. Fleas are typically found where animals sleep or frequent.
House Mouse
2 1/2" - 3 1/2"
Color can vary considerably from place to place. Having a strong ability to jump, climb, and swim enables a high number of them to invade a structure very quickly. They often nest in various materials such as insulation, and usually use the same pathways along a wall. Mice prefer seeds or cereals for food. They have been known to spread salmonella disease.
Norway Rat
7" - 9 1/2"
Commonly brown or gray in color, and also known as the “brown rat,” the Norway rat is the largest of the common rodents in the temperate regions of the world. In addition to damage by gnawing, it eats and contaminates stored food, and is a carrier of many diseases.
Bed Bug
1/4"
Color is brownish. They get their name because they both live and feed in beds. As an ectoparasitic insect (a parasite which lives on the outside of the body of the host) of the family Cimicidae, bed bugs feed only on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. Distinguishable by their brown color, the common bed bug (Cimex Lectularius Linnaeus 1758) can lay 12 eggs per day!
Stink Bugs
3/4"
Brown, Gray or Dark Green in color, Stink bugs known for their “smelly” reputation, acquired its name from its ability to release an odor when disturbed or crushed. Stink bugs are herbivorous and like to feed on plant juices using their piercing and sucking mouthparts. Unlike many other household pests that have natural predators, stink bugs have NO known enemies in the United States. They are known to enter homes through attics, and invade a home from the top-down.
Racoon
2’-3’
Racoons are nocturnal mammals that can live up to 12 years in the wild. Although they are usually found in wooded portions of the Eastern United States, they are well known to invade residential areas. Signs of Racoon infestation include trash damage, fecal matter, and holes in and around attic or chimney space. Raccoons can be a carrier of rabies, and pose a threat when they enter homes.
Mosquitoes
1/8"-3/4"
Ranging from light brown to black in color (depending on the species), this insect is known for its ability to bite mammals resulting in itchy pink bumps on the body. Since mosquitoes pass from host to host, many harmful infections may be transmitted through them including Malaria, West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, and the Zika Virus. This is why they are considered the deadliest animal family in the world, making a mosquito treatment program essential for your backyard.
Squirrel
5”-20”
Varying in color from combinations of gray, brown, and black, squirrels consist of over 200 rodent species worldwide. They are capable of moving up to 20 mph and jumping from elevations as high as 20 ft. These rodents become an issue when they seek shelter in homes, where they gnaw on walls, electrical wires, and breed. Professional trapping and removal is highly recommended, and effective.
Possum
2’
Fur can vary, usually white to brown to black, possums are nocturnal mammals that favor secure, dark places, both below and above ground. They can reside in attics, under houses, porches, sheds, etc. They are usually found near homes to scavenge on garbage and other containers. Their large droppings can host various diseases and parasites that are dangerous to humans. Possums are also known to “play dead” under duress, so removal by a professional is highly recommended.
Bat
3/16” to 7 ½”
Most common bats in this area include: the little brown bat, the big brown bat, and the Mexican free-tailed bat, which all feed on various insects. Taking shelter in the dark, these nocturnal mammals usually live in colonies, and secluded areas such as caves and tree cavities. Bats can also be found inside buildings and houses, usually in the attic. They pose serious health risks such as lung disease, due to fungi found in their droppings, as well as the potential to transmit rabies.
CENTIPEDE
1/8”-5 ½”
Varying in color, centipedes are known for having 100 legs. However, the number of legs can vary, often from 30 to well over 150. Predatory in nature, centipedes seek other pests within the household; therefore, treatment of centipedes are essential to also address the other pests within the household. Elimination of centipedes will result in a reduction of other general pests around the home.
Camel Crickets
½”-2”
Brownish in color, and sometimes appearing translucent, camel crickets, often called “cave crickets” or “sprickets,” are wingless, and rather humpbacked in appearance. In a home, they are known to eat clothes, curtains, rugs, wood, wallpaper, and wool. This makes prompt treatment essential.
Yellow Jackets
2/5”-3/5”
Getting their name from their yellow and black bodies, yellow jackets are very aggressive. They retain their stinger after use, and may sting their victim multiple times. Yellow jackets commonly nest in structure voids, behind siding, and even underground. Their diet primarily consists of items high in sugar and carbohydrates such as: fruits, flower nectar, and tree sap.
Bald-Faced Hornets
½”-3/4”
Distinguishable by their white and black coloring and “bald-faced” head, Bald-faced hornets construct brown multi-layered basketball sized nests by collecting and chewing naturally occurring fibers. Like yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets retain use of their stinger, and can sting their victim multiple times. Especially for those with a stinging allergy, treatment and removal of the nest is essential!
Paper Wasp
¾”-1”
Mostly dark brown in color, with black wings, and yellow markings, the paper wasp is known for constructing baseball sized nests in partially sheltered areas of your home or business. They are a real nuisance, and it is not uncommon to have a few paper wasp nests around the exterior of your home. Paper wasps prefer to feed on nectar and pollen, and even prey on caterpillars they use to feed their colonies’ larvae.
European Hornets
1”-1 ½”
Brown with yellow stripes on the abdomen, the European hornet commonly makes their nests in holes in trees, attics, or wall voids in homes. They feed on crickets, grasshoppers, large flies, caterpillars, and the workers of other yellow jacket species. European hornets are known to sting if provoked, and should certainly be avoided. They are commonly confused with cicada killers.
Carpenter Bees
1/4”-1”
Dark and somewhat metallic in appearance, with yellowish hairs, known for chewing a 3/8 inch tunnel into a piece of wood to build a nest gallery, the female carpenter bee takes advantage of outside wood to lay their eggs and protect their developing larvae. Although solitary in nature, carpenter bees typically nest very close to each other, and if left untreated, can cause a major problem. Carpenter bees can reuse existing holes, making a maintenance type of pest treatment imperative!
Cicada Killers
1”-2”
Black, with yellow markings on three segments, cicada killers are digger wasps. They are large solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, and live underground. They commonly live within close proximity to one another, and feed on flower nectar. Treatment of Cicada Killers is essential because their many holes and plant damage can be devastating to a yard. Females are often seen carrying a paralyzed cicada, which they take back to their burrow. The female cicada killer then lays an egg on the paralyzed cicada, which hatches and uses the cicada as a nourishment source.
Moles / Voles
5”-7” – 5”-7 ½”
Appearing Dark brown, brown-gray, tan, or even black, moles and voles are known for leaving many shallow tunnels and runways all around a home’s yard. Both pests are very problematic. While moles damage your garden while looking for insects, voles will actually eat your crops, plants, and flowers. If left untreated, results can be devastating to a yard.
If you found your pest(s) or not, give us a call!
We will successfully identify and treat this unwanted invader! Call now!
